How can I learn English by reading?

The answer depends on your current skills and how well you learn from books and online content. Reading helps you develop vocabulary, understand the structure, and pick up nuances of punctuation and grammar from seeing how others use it. You can learn simply by engaging in active reading while trying to improve your language skills.Some people can absorb English from textbooks and develop incredible skills from reading alone. However, they’re incredibly rare, and you’ll most likely need some help and advice on your journey to fluency.If you choose to take a Promova English class, reading will also be combined with other activities to help you develop overall comprehension. For example, you’ll interact with a certified tutor who will ask you questions about the text and your opinions, improving your communication skills and expression.

How can I practice English reading comprehension?

There are several ways to improve your comprehension:Ask Questions. Start your reading with a quick skim of the upcoming text to prepare for what you’re about to read. After reading a section, quickly go through it again to see if there’s anything you missed.Skim and re-read. Start your reading with a quick skim of the upcoming text to prepare for what you’re about to read. After you’re done reading a section, quickly go through it again to see if there’s anything you missed.Look for context. Texts don’t exist in isolation and usually have many references, history, or related materials. If you can find out where the author is coming from, you can understand ideas much more quickly.Improve fluency. Spend time sharpening other skills such as listening, speaking, and writing. You can get back to reading later with a new vocabulary and awareness of the language.Lastly, taking English reading and writing classes can help you see the language from various angles and develop better comprehension by engaging with a teacher and getting feedback.

What types of English reading can I learn?

We separate reading into three types based on your purpose - why you might be doing it:Skimming. You’re reading for gist - to get the main ideas from the text. For example, you might be deciding whether a book is worth buying by skimming different chapters to see if it interests you.Scanning. You’re reading to get something in particular from the text and retain specific information. For example, you might be reading a restaurant menu trying to find a dish with shrimps in it, then you’re scanning through the text for the word ‘shrimp’.Intensive reading. You’re reading for detailed comprehension. For example, you’ve received an email from a friend who has just relocated to Canada in which he or she is telling you about their first few weeks in this country. In this case, you might be interested in all the details and even some hidden nuances and inferences, so you will be reading for detail.Extensive reading. You’re reading easy, enjoyable texts without focusing on details or doing any comprehension tasks or examining the text for vocabulary or grammar. This type of reading helps build up fluency by getting used to the language.Learning all the above techniques can help you adjust your reading style and speed depending on your purpose.

Holistic vs Wholistic

What’s the difference between them?

Holistic

Meaning:

Holistic refers to a philosophy or approach of looking at something as a whole, rather than focusing on its parts. It is often used to refer to health care approaches that seek to treat the patient holistically, taking into account physical, mental, and emotional health.

Examples:

1. She believes in a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

2. Holistic learning is an approach to education that considers the whole person.

3. Our holistic approach to development will ensure long-term success.

Wholistic

Meaning:

The less popular spelling of 'holistic.'

Examples:

1. The doctor adopted a wholistic approach to treating his patient's complex medical issues.

2. The wholistic health retreat offered a range of activities to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

3. The wholistic approach to education emphasizes the importance of holistic thinking.

Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference

Synonyms

Antonyms

Holistic

Comprehensive

all-encompassing

Reductionist

Wholistic

Comprehensive

all-encompassing

Reductionist

Tricks for mastery

Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Holistic", "Wholistic".

1. Holistic is the correct spelling of the word, while wholistic is a common informal usage.

2. Holistic is derived from the Greek word 'holos', meaning 'whole', and is used to describe something that looks at the whole rather than its individual parts.

3. Both spellings are correct, but if you are in doubt, use 'holistic.'

Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words

Frequently asked questions

When to use the first word?

Holistic is an adjective used to describe a concept or idea that looks at the entire system or all parts of something as one unified whole. It is often used to describe a way of looking at something that takes into account all factors related to it, such as physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

When to use the second word?

Wholistic is an alternative spelling of the same word, but is less commonly used. It is still used with the same meaning and often in the same contexts as holistic.

Do the words have the same pronunciation?

Yes, the words are pronounced the same.

What are common mistakes associated with words?

A common mistake made with these words is confusing them with words like ‘whole’ and ‘all’. While all of these terms could be used to describe a concept or idea that looks at the entire system as one unified whole, holistic and wholistic specifically refer to this type of holistic thinking. Additionally, people sometimes mistakenly use holistic and wholistic interchangeably, but this is not correct.

Fill in the gaps to check yourself

1. Many health professionals promote a __________ approach to physical well-being.

2. In some cases, teaching methods can be viewed as __________ systems.

3. He believes that the __________ way is the best way to build relationships.

4. Education should be viewed from a __________ perspective.

5. The __________ model of learning has been very popular in recent years.

6. The __________ model of education can be applied to many different areas.

1. Holistic/Wholistic